More than the comfort of southern fried chicken . . . More than the carefree feeling of sifting warm sand through your toes . . . More than the sweet taste of hot cocoa and wrapping up in a fleece blanket on a cold, wintry day. This passage offers—more.
On the heels of Paul using weighty terms—predestination, calling, justification, and glorification—to set up God’s redemptive purpose in verse 30, he asks: “What, then, shall we say in response to this?”
His answer—squeezed into one word—HOPE.
3 Reasons for Assurance of Salvation
Shepherd’s Notes identifies three reasons believers can have assurance of salvation:
- Our assurance is based on the heavy investment that God has already made in our redemption (vs. 31-32).
- Our assurance is based upon God’s acquittal and Christ’s continuing intercession for us (vs. 33-34).
- Our assurance is based upon God’s love for us in Christ, which guarantees that nothing will be able to separate us from Him (vs. 35-39).
Paul concludes, after listing the many assailants of God’s people, that “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” This gives the brilliant backdrop for a dearly loved affirmation in the faith:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –vs. 38-39
So What?
Although believers face earthly trials, we can rest in hope and confidence. Nothing can separate us from God’s love because of Jesus’ faithfulness. Our salvation is firmly secured because of Jesus’ work on the cross.
What are some of your favorite encouragements promised for believers in chapter 8?
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